Jean-Louis Godinot came back to Zambia on the 13th March 2015 in good spirit and health. His surgery took place in France on the 12th January with a complete success even though he will need a second surgery late on to fix a prosthesis. At the moment, a piece of metal and some kind of ‘cement’ is holding his hand, especially his index. Jean-Louis needs a special black glove to help for blood circulation.
As you know, he was unable to use adequately Internet at home but takes this opportunity to thank all who sent him a word of encouragement and they are many.
Please, find the story on the following Internet link CrocBITE Worldwide Crocodilian Attack Database. The only thing missing is his age, only 67 years old… ready for another fight!
A French missionary named Jean-Louis Godinot was attacked by a Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) while crossing the Lukulu River at approximately 3:05 PM. At this location the river was approximately 80 meters wide and upon reaching within 20 meters of the opposite shore, a crocodile (estimated to be 2-2.5 meters in length) seized Godinot’s left hand and dragged him to the river bottom (approximately 2 meters deep at this location). The crocodile apparently began rolling and Godinot pushed his index and major fingers into the crocodile’s eyes. He managed to come up twice for air but was dragged back under both times. The last time he was pulled under he was in shallow water and could stand. This allowed him to fight back more and he again gouged the crocodile’s eyes, causing it to release him. His left hand was badly damaged and he was initially treated at a hospital in Kasama before being transferred to France for surgery. Godinot states that, while at one time the African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) was present in the river, he recognized the crocodile that attacked him to be a Nile crocodile (C. niloticus).
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